Are you looking to create a new website or improve your current site, but unsure where to start or how to achieve your goals? Do you wish you had access to expert advice and guidance to help you develop a successful online presence? If so, it’s time to consider website consultations.
Website consultations are sessions with an expert in website design and development who can help you understand the options available to you and develop a plan to achieve your goals. Whether you’re looking to create a new website from scratch, re-design your current site, or improve the performance and functionality of your existing site, a website consultation can provide you with the knowledge and guidance you need to succeed.
But that’s not all – website consultations also offer a number of benefits for your organization. By working with an expert in website development, you’ll be able to tap into their experience and expertise, as well as benefit from their insights and best practices. You’ll also be able to get personalized advice and guidance that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.
So why wait? Invest in website consultations and drive your online presence to succeed. It’s the smart choice for any organization looking to create a new website, re-design their current site, or improve the performance and functionality of their existing site.
- Determine the client’s site development and marketing budget.
- If you are approached by a business to do a project in return for a percentage of sales or other compensation tied to the success of the site you will be business partners. Always review their business and marketing plans. Can they compete?
- Will you have enough visibility into the sales generated, to compensate you fairly? These can be risky deals.
- Show sample sites and photos.
- Sign a “Memorandum of Intent” document to project your designs and proposal before the contract is signed.
Determine the purpose of the site & site sections.
- Make Money
- Promote company
- Information resource
Determine the client’s goals, needs, and expectations.
- Improve customer service
- Improve sales
- Save time, increase productivity
- Reduce inventory
- Reduce costs
- Lead generation
Determine audience and site sections.
- Buyers
- Sellers
- Surfers
- Existing customers
- Prospects
- Determine voice/style (conservative, hip, humorous, etc.)
- Determine components and page counts.
- What are the short-term and long-term needs and goals of the client?
- Go over the standard contract, payment options, and sample proposals for similar sites (if available).
- Go over the generic development checklist (optional).
- Determine site maintenance frequency, the number of site updates site per year, and exactly which pages will need updates.
- Generate storyboard with 8 main indexes maximum and 3 levels deep
- Determine the hardware and bandwidth requirements for the website (peak and off-peak seasons).
- Answer these and other questions in the Information Worksheet.
- Larger projects may require a more detailed design and analysis before an estimate can be determined (especially when the system has to interface with external systems, involves more e than 3 developers, etc.). Consider payment up front for the design and analysis first, then offer a proposal for the development of the site based on the design and analysis. If customer doesn’t accept the proposal they can use the design they paid you for.
- Generate estimate from checklists and storyboard that fits budget and needs.
- Send proposal to the client.
- Modify the proposal as needed, and negotiate the contract.
- Once signed and up-front payment and fixed costs are received start the project.